How do you clean your belly button properly?
HLN, 16 November 2023
Dr Griet Voet in HLN on belly button hygiene: why you should clean it every day, how to do so safely and when to see a doctor.
In HLN, Dr Griet Voet explains why the belly button deserves attention. The skin there is home to many different bacteria, and the warm, moist folds are a favourable place for bacteria and fungi. Accumulated skin flakes and fluff from clothing can form small crusts or cause discomfort.
She advises cleaning the belly button daily with a mild soap or oil, rinsing well and drying thoroughly. Picking at it with tweezers is not recommended because you can cause small wounds; oil on a cotton bud is gentler. Redness, flaking, itching or an unpleasant smell are reasons to see a doctor.
The article also features Dr Baete on umbilical hernia, which according to the article is the only belly button complaint that can pose a real health risk.
Key advice
Clean your belly button daily with a mild soap or oil and dry it well.
Don't use tweezers; a cotton bud with oil is gentler.
Redness, itching, flaking or a smell? Have it checked by a doctor.
“Picking at your belly button with tweezers is not advisable, as there is a risk of small wounds developing.” — Dr Griet Voet and Dr Baete